Right Place announces three projects yielding 171 new jobs, $6.8 million in investments

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Right Place Inc. announced three projects on Wednesday, May 21 that will bring 171 new jobs and $6.8 million in new investment to West Michigan.

The largest expansion comes from Avasure LLC, a medical equipment company that plans to create 110 new jobs over the next three years and invest $1.9 million into an expansion of its Plainfield Township facility at 5801 Safety Drive NE.

Avasure makes AvaSys, an “advanced patient observation and communications platform that allows a nurse to remotely monitor multiple patients in diverse locations, anticipate their needs, identify risky situations and alert floor staff in time to avert injuries,” according to a Right Place announcement.

The new facility will allow Avasure to rely less on outsourcing for its components, the announcement said. Local support for the project was provided by Plainfield Township in the form of a tax abatement. Manufacturing is set to begin in late 2014.

“West Michigan hosts the largest concentration of medical device manufacturers in the State of Michigan, said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “AvaSure’s decision to expand in West Michigan further strengthens that position and affirms our strategic commitment to continue building a world-class medical device industry in the region.”

In another expansion announcement, Steel21 will invest $4.5 million in new equipment and bring 61 new jobs on board over the next three years. The startup company is being founded by Kimm Slater, former owner of Maco Steel and Steel Craft Technologies.

The 30,000 square-foot building at 4709 12 Mile Road in Algoma Township will use “the latest in steel plate processing equipment to create faster, more efficient processing, cutting and machining methods,” according to the Right Place announcement.

Steel21 plans to start operations with 31 employees and will add 61 new positions in the next three years, the announcement said. Algoma Township approved a tax abatement for the new facility and equipment earlier this month.

In a third announcement, Belding Tool & Machine announced plans to bring $405,000 in new capital investment for machinery upgrades over the next several years. Purchased in August 2013, the company has started a period of major transition, making investments in both the company’s physical assets and its employees, the Right Place announcement said.

Located at 114 S. Bridge Street in Belding, the company specializes in high quality precision tooling and die details for all types of manufacturing industries. Owner Jason Markham is focusing on increasing the automation and market diversification, according to the Right Place announcement.

With these latest announcements, The Right Place officials said they have worked with local and state partners to generate $64.5 million in capital investment and create 667 jobs in West Michigan so far this year.